A Busy Port

By Bernard Fisher, May 31, 2009

1. A Busy Port NPS Marker

Inscription. “Beyond the masts and rigging and the smoke stacks and steam of the water craft, were groups of tents, long ranges of whitewashed barracks, log huts, and shanties of every shape.....these were moving uniformed soldiers and officers, negroes driving mule teams, and sentries on duty, and over all flags flying gaily.” Mrs. W. [Wilson]

Between June 1864 and April 1865, City Point was one of the busiest ports in the world. Sometimes as many as 200 ships were anchored in the rivers here, feeding tons of materiel into a supply distribution system renowned for its efficiency.

Edward H. Henry, a captain's clerk here at City Point, painted this panorama” “City Point, Virginia; Headquarters of General Grant.” It is the most accurate known depiction of the huge Federal depot. You are standing at the base of the bluff to the right of the locomotive.

Erected by Petersburg National Battlefield, National Park Service.

Location. 37° 19.02′ N, 77° 16.5′ W. Marker is in Hopewell, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Water Street near Pecan Avenue. Touch for map. This marker is located in the City Point Unit of the Petersburg National Battlefield at the base of the

By Bernard Fisher, May 31, 2009

2. A Busy Port Marker (facing upriver)

stairs leading from the Grant's cabin area to the waterfront. Marker is in this post office area: Hopewell VA 23860, United States of America.

The earthen mounds around you are part of the original Civil War defenses used in 1864-65. Please help the National Park Service preserve them by not walking on them.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on June 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 808 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.